Business News Tribute to musical star
Birmingham plans to pay a special tribute to R&B star Spencer Davis, who died in Los Angeles last month at the age of 81. Spencer studied German at the University of Birmingham and worked as
a part-time teacher and musician in the city before achieving chart-topping fame. He then formed The Spencer Davis Group with Brummie brothers Steve
and Mervyn (Muff) Winwood and Pete York, after they met at the now demolished Golden Eagle pub on Hill Street, in Birmingham city centre. Spencer’s group is now set to receive a ‘Walk of Stars’ award from
Westside Business Improvement District (BID). The band achieved number one hits with ‘Keep On Running’ and ‘Somebody Help Me’ in 1966, and would have made it three chart-toppers in a row with ‘Gimme Some Lovin’’ later the same year but for the Beach Boys’ ‘Good Vibrations’. Jasper Carrott, the Birmingham comedian who chairs Westside BID’s
‘Walk of Stars’ awards committee, said: “I was deeply saddened to hear about Spencer’s death. “Both he and The Spencer Davis Group were very much a part of the Birmingham music scene, and indeed I recall seeing them at the Civic Hall in Digbeth. “We had hoped to incorporate Spencer and the group into the Westside
‘Walk of Stars’ on Broad Street, and we were in negotiations with band members for the last year or two. “Unfortunately, Spencer had been in ill health during that time making it
difficult for him to travel to his adopted Birmingham, and recently Covid-19 has made it impossible. “But as soon as pandemic restrictions allow, we’re going to make a
special tribute by awarding a Star to The Spencer Davis Group, and we hope to get as many band members along as possible to receive it.” Jasper added: “While Spencer himself will be sadly missed, his music will
very much play on. My sincere condolences to all his friends, fans and loved ones.” Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, said he would be contacting band members to discuss the special Star award.
Tribute: The Spencer Davis Group, pictured on Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, in their heyday
Mr Olley said: “A musician of Spencer’s calibre deserves proper
recognition in Birmingham, and we are determined that his group will receive their Star as soon as circumstances allow.” The Birmingham, Sandwell & Westside Jazz Festival paid its own tribute
to Spencer at The Bull's Head in Bishopsgate Street, the home of Henry's Blueshouse. It included a talk by jazz festival director Jim Simpson, who was friends
with both Spencer and The Spencer Davis Group drummer Pete York for more than 55 years.
December 2020/January 2021 CHAMBERLINK 27
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